Buenos Aires: Learn Spanish, Enjoy an Incredible City! Past Review
By Ethan F (International Politics, Westminster College, PA) for
ISA Study Abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Knowledge of a foreign city. Knowledge of a foreign language.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universidad de Belgrano |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The in-class language instruction was challenging, but there was not enough work assigned outside the classroom. The grading system could have been more strict. The teaching style was similar to that of my home university. The educational system seemed to be fairly efficient, in comparison. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Amazing tutelage available. Wonderful, friendly and accessible support staff. I loved everyone that worked in the Buenos Aires ISA office. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Neighborhood was fantastic but my host family was very small. I would recommend living in a flat in the city. |
| * Food: |
As a vegetarian there were always options for me even in a country that is known for their beef. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Iguazu was fantastic. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
There were areas of the city that were dangerous but our program prepared us well. I sprained an ankle while playing basketball and had no problem receiving health care services in the city. I did not need any vaccines. There healthcare is great. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~$100/month |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take advantage of the exchange rate. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate I |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Many of my fellow exchange student spoke in English but I used my language in everyday conversation. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Be Smart. Have Fun. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Latin American Political Philosophy |
| Course Department: | --- |
| Instructor: | --- |
| Instruction Language: | Spanish |
| Comments: | This class was incredible and very challenging. Difficult, lengthy texts assigned in Spanish and the professor was demanding yet concise in his demands. Professor was very well knowledgeable and organized the class well. However, the professor often taught in English (until the class asked him to lecture in Spanish) which, for some time, took away from the course. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | I did not. |
